The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's arrhythmia and ICD are related to his service-connected PTSD. The VA is instructed to obtain an independent medical expert opinion on this matter.
The deciding factor: The May 2017 VA examiner’s conclusion based solely on the lack of the Veteran’s medical treatment records finding a causal relationship between his PTSD and arrhythmia was inadequate due to the Veteran's consistent assertion that his arrhythmia was caused by stress, which is a manifestation of his service-connected PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- arrhythmia, internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20026107
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20026107.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and arrhythmia are remanded due to pre-decisional errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claims for service connection due to lack of new and relevant evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error and further examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of heart conditions was granted with an effective date of June 11, 2020. The claim had been continuously pursued since the receipt of a VA Form 21-0966 on that date.
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